Tagged: ESPN

So far in 2010…spring training has not exactly been outstanding for the Boston Red Sox, competitively. Most players arrived early to the training facility this winter, and are present, and appear to be very physically-fit….at least to my discerning eye. So what’s wrong with this picture ?

Last night’s game at Hammond Stadium was unfortunately televised on both MLB tv, and NESN (delayed) as well as broadcast live on WEEI radio….too bad. It was a very poor example of a professional baseball game, on Boston’s end. Buchholz was missing his spots and making Varitek run all over the place to pick-up his poorly thrown balls. He was inconsistent, and proved to me that he is no more than a fill-in starter at best.

The guys were all missing catches all over the field. It was a mess, and I am purging myself of the entire unpleasant outing, and moving on to bigger things.

Today’s game in Bradenton Florida will be against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and our Texas beast Josh Beckett is taking the mound…hopefully and probably to right any of last night’s wrongs. Show ’em how it’s supposed to be done in the big boy world of pro ball today Josh.

The NY Media (ESPN) is having a good old time being critical of our efforts this spring, and our many recent losses. Maybe they do not think we are paying attention to the hate and utter ugliness they spew about my team….well, I am paying attention. They are so completely biased, it is laughable….do they even take themselves seriously ?

I know that it’s springtime on the Gulf Coast, and the games do not count, and it’s all about the at-bats, and the gametime and workouts….and bonding…and blah, blah….but seriously, I want to see a few straight wins to please my own eyes and brain…and to shut ESPN up !!

10 Exhibition games are left before Opening Night at Fenway Park on EASTER SUNDAY – so lets set a goal of more wins than losses in those 10 remaining games…OK guys ? (You know I love you, I am your cheerleader….so JUST DO IT !!)

Oh, by the way…I am very impressed with Mike Cameron’s speed and agility, and his at-bats. I also am liking Adrian Beltre’s range and speed at 3rd base, as well as Jeremy Hermida’s fielding. Crossed-fingers for Dustin Pedroia on his wrist injury.

I would say: “I can’t wait until they get up here” but, they need more time down in Fort Myers. Opening Day/Night will be here soon enough.

Spring Training down in lovely Fort Myers Florida is well under way now, and the boys are toned and trained and anxious to get out and play ball on a daily basis….but that doesn’t really happen at Spring Training. This time of the year is a sharing time, the minor leaguers and invitees also need play time, and our headliners need to ease their way back to daily play. Early March game attendees are more likely to see the veterans start, play 2-3 innings, then have the youngers guys take over the game. As the month progresses, the big money guys take their place more frequently, and for more innings.

Dustin Pedroia’s Newest Sullivan Tire Commercial is due out soon, Jacoby is being courted by Nike (and many other corporations) because of his awesome-ness, a new line of wines is going to make it’s debut this spring featuring our Ace Josh Beckett and our jack rabbit Jacoby Ellsbury. (I will feature an entire blog on it soon)

I have officially requested a webcam for City Of Palms Park, and it’s being considered, although may not be operating until 2011, or when the new ballpark opens in Spring 2012. Since the spring games down there are rarely televised, I thought it would help to bring the fans closer to the game/team.

Clay Buchholz and his wife Lindsey are expecting their first child this summer, and our newest arm John Lackey is making a very good impression on the staff down in Florida. It’s a contract year for our Josh Beckett, and there is a lot of faith in the chatter that predicts a deal gets done soon. The eyes of the fans are on our three tag teams on the field for 2010: shortstops Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie, third basemen Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell, and catchers Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek are all transitions to watch.

Ex-Sox Jason Bay played against us for the first time on March 11 in Port St.Lucie Florida, oddly getting booed in the Mets stadium.

Ex-Sox Nomar Garciaparra signed a 1-Day Deal with his Red Sox before transitioning into retirement from Major League play, and into baseball media play.

Both ESPN’s Baseball Tonight & MLB’s 30 Teams In 30 Days have recently filmed at the Red Sox facility and moved-on.

As Opening Day approaches, one must realize that this year’s festivities will surely be a circus for everone in the baseball world to view. This year on April 4th (originally scheduled for April 5th) usually held on a Monday afternoon-will be instead on EASTER SUNDAY NIGHT 8pm because ESPN wants bigger ratings for the rivalry, as we have to watch a national NY-loving broadcast introduce the current World Champion team…..well, we can kick their ***** on the field that night and have the last word, and that would be sufficient to start-off the year!

(please excuse my language, but we are talking Sox-Yankees here)

At this moment, there are only 563 more hours until my beloved Red Sox begin the battle for the ring in 2010.